Katie Spence

Katie joined Dere Street following a successful eighteen months working as an inhouse barrister (and pupil) at one of the largest criminal defence firms in London. She is a criminal practitioner and accepts instructions in the youth, magistrates and Crown Court, both prosecuting and defending.

Katie’s delivery of oral arguments and presence in court has been commended by the judiciary both during trials and during complex sentencing hearings.
Prior to coming to be bar Katie worked as a criminal appeals paralegal dealing with out of time criminal appeals against both conviction and sentence and assisting with the preparation cases to go before the single Judge/ CCRC.

Notable Cases

R V R

The defendant faced two allegations of sexual assault. Following a four day trial in Newcastle the Jury found the defendant not guilty. The defendant was represented by Katie Spence, instructed by Haswell solicitors.

R V B

The defendant pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs. At the sentencing hearing, despite the Judge concluding that the starting point for her offending was 4.5 years, Katie was able to persuade him that in light of her personal mitigation a suspended sentence could be imposed.

R V C

Katie represented the defendant who was charged with sexual assault (x2), intentional strangulation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Following a four day trial in Newcastle the jury returned a not guilty verdict on all counts.

R V D

The defendant was charged with wounding with intent. On the day of trial the Crown prosecution service applied for an adjournment to serve a witness summons. Katie opposed this application on the basis that it was the day of trial and this delay was contrary to the criminal procedure rules. This resulted in the Crown offering no evidence and the defendants immediate release from prison. An application for a restraining order on acquittal was also successfully opposed by her.

R v L

The defendant faced three counts of intentional strangulation, ABH and assault. Following cross examination of the complainant in this case the Crown offered no evidence and the jury were directed to return verdicts of not guilty.

R V C

The defendant was charged with sexual assault (x2), intentional strangulation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Following a four day trial at Newcastle Crown Court the jury returned not guilty verdicts on all counts.

R V C

The defendant was acquitted by a jury following a three day trial in which he faced a charge of ABH.

R V S

The defendant was charged with affray, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage. Following representations made by the defence on the morning of trial, the Crown accepted a restraining order on acquittal. Allowing the defendant to retain his good character and avoid a term of imprisonment.

R V H

Katie acted as junior counsel in a six week trial in Teesside Crown court for offences of rape and child cruelty.

R V F

Katie represented a young man with learning difficulties who was charged with harassment and stalking. After a long legal argument and written representations, the Crown was convinced to offer a restraining order in place of a conviction. The clients good character remained intact.

R V W

Common assault and assault emergency worker. Katie successfully opposed a res Gestae application, and the Crown offered no evidence to the first charge. Katie made a successful half time submission in respect of the second.

R V M

Appeal against conviction. Katie’s half time submission was successful under the second limb of Galbraith after scrutiny of the officer’s body worn video and the case was stopped at half time with the appeal allowed.

R V S

Client was charged with an assault on his ex-partner. Katie challenged the complainant and witness on their account based on contradicting body worn footage served the morning of trial. The defendant was acquitted, and his good character remained intact.

R V C

The defendant stood to be sentenced for two offences. Possession of a knife and threats to kill. Katie successfully argued that although the offences clearly passed the custody threshold the defendant’s mitigation was incredibly important. The Judge passed sentence of a 24 month’s community order.